"Instructor-Communication Studies-College of Communication & Information Sciences"

Job Details

The Department of Communication Studies in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at The University of Alabama is seeking dynamic teachers for multiple faculty positions as full-time, non-tenure-track, three-year renewable contract Instructors of Communication Studies to begin August 16, 2026.

Successful candidates must be able to teach content in at least one of the following areas: interpersonal communication, organizational leadership, rhetoric and political discourse, and communication and culture. Ideal candidates will have a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching and service within communication studies. We are eager to work with individuals who possess a dynamic and engaging teaching style to instruct undergraduate majors and minors in communication studies, as well as students who take communication studies courses as electives and as part of their general education. Successful candidates will be able to provide quality instruction to main campus and distance learning students, both within large lecture and smaller class sizes. Candidates with professional experience outside of academia will be considered, especially in light of our department’s thriving online Master of Arts in Communication and Organizational Leadership degree. The teaching load is four courses per semester, with potential for additional summer course offerings. Instructor-line faculty at The University of Alabama have a promotion pathway as described here in the UA Faculty Handbook.

• Teach four courses each semester in a range of communication studies courses at the undergraduate level, and possibly graduate level, in both face-to-face and online modalities.
• Establish and maintain a record of teaching excellence for main campus and distance learning students.
• Serve on department and college committees as appropriate.

About the Department of Communication Studies

The Department of Communication Studies emphasizes a broad understanding of the power of communication by studying theory and practice in the areas of interpersonal communication, organizational leadership, rhetoric and political discourse, and communication and culture. We are committed to cultivating responsible, informed, and civically minded leaders who will be future leaders in the field of communication. The department is a vibrant and collaborative community of twenty five full-time faculty members dedicated to furthering the education of over 1,000 undergraduate majors and minors. Our department is also home to a renowned forensics program and a cutting-edge Speaking Studio.

The department supports two distance learning programs, a Master of Arts in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership and an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies. Faculty have the opportunity for compensated instructional design of both distance learning curricula.

For more information, visit our website at https://comstudies.ua.edu.

Appointments to the faculty of The University of Alabama are based on the personnel requirements of the University’s academic programs and on the goal of achieving and maintaining excellence in its teaching, research, and service/academic citizenship activities.

Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2025 and will continue until the positions are filled.

Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience.

Questions may be directed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Caroline Parsons at csparsons@ua.edu.

About Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Tuscaloosa is so much more than a college town. It's a vibrant community filled with legendary history. Located along the Black Warrior River, the city features a walkable downtown that offers many cultural and outdoor activities, a wide variety of local restaurants spanning a broad range of cuisines, monthly art walks, a 7,470-seat outdoor amphitheater, and a very reasonable cost of living. With a geography ranging from suburban to rural, the area offers a variety of housing options along with excellent public and private schools and a wealth of recreational and entertainment options.

With a metro area population of more than 110,000, the Druid City lies about an hour southwest of Birmingham, in west-central Alabama. Tuscaloosa is a half-day’s drive from the Smoky Mountains, Gulf Coast beaches, New Orleans, Nashville, Memphis, and Atlanta.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completed M.A. degree by August 15, 2026.
• Record of undergraduate teaching excellence.
• Ability to be an active and involved member of a collaborative faculty team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completed M.A. in Communication (or a related field with at least 18 credit hours in communication) by August 15, 2026.
• Record of undergraduate teaching excellence in both face-to-face and online environments.
• Special priority will be given to candidates with interdisciplinary interests and accomplishments, as well as professional work experience.

To be considered, applicants must submit:

1. a letter of application that contextualizes their qualifications, experiences, and approach to teaching within the course offerings of the Department of Communication Studies at The University of Alabama.
2. an updated curriculum vitae
3. the names and contact information of three references
4. evidence of teaching effectiveness.

Only completed files will be evaluated. Materials can be submitted online at https://facultyjobs.ua.edu.

About the College

The College of Communication & Information Sciences has four academic units, approximately 110 full-time faculty members, and serves approximately 3,500 students across bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs, including approximately 95 students in the college-wide Ph.D. program. The college’s Institute for Communication & Information Research (ICIR) is a premier research institute dedicated to addressing societal and cultural issues related to communication and information research. The ICIR collaborates with businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, foundations, and other entities to produce high-impact research that informs and improves our evolving communication and information landscape. The College is also home to the Public Opinion Lab, equipped with the Sprinklr data warehouse and custom data collection and management resources; a biometrics lab outfitted with state-of-the-art iMotions software and associated hardware; and the near-term development of an interactive VR/theater lab, among others. The college is also home to the Holle Center for Communication Arts, whose mission is guided by a commitment to advance narrative justice through innovative and arts-informed research, community engagement, and creative co-operation. The college also maintains the 40,000 square-foot Digital Media Center, which is home to Alabama Public Radio and WVUA 23, a full-power commercial television station serving a top-50 television market.